Ellis m



(No Model.)

El M. VAN VALKENBURG.

v VEHGLB TONGUE.

' NO. 466.387. Patented Jan. 5, 1892.

* UNITED STATE-s PAATENT OFFICE.

ELLIS M. VAN VALKENBURG, OF RACINE, WISGONSIN, VASSIGNOR TO THE ACME ADJUSTABLE POLE COMPANY, OF SAME PLAOE.

VEHICLE-TONGUE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 466,387. dated January 5, 1892.

Application filed July 9, 189 1. Serial No. 398,883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ELLIs M. VAN VALKEN- BURG, of Racine, in the county of Racine and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement iu Vehiole-Tongues, of which the following' is a'description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which are a part of this specification. My invention consists in novel features whereby a vehicle-tongue is made light in weight, but strong and durable, and is made capable of adjustment to adapt it to be readily attached to vehicles through couplings fiXed on the axle at difierent distances apart, the adjusting devices on the tongue being constructed and arranged to secure strength and obviate their liability to become loose under the jar to which they are subjected in use;

In the drawings, Fi gure 1 is a top plan View of my improved vehicle-tongue, the pole being broken away for convenience of illustration. Fig. 2 is a side view of the same device shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3-is an under side view of a portion of the same device. Fg. 4 is a fragment of one arm of the hounds, parts being shown in section to exhibit interior construction.

A is a fragment of the pole forming a portion of the tongue and usually constructed of wood. Branching pole-hounds B, constructed of metal tubing, usually of gas-pipe, are secured rigidly to the rear extremity of the pole A. A metal tubing or gas-pipe is very satisfactory for the construction of the hounds, as it is light in Weight and very strong and durable and-may be made neat in appearance.

A. metal cap-plate O is fitted to the top and sides of the pole A and is secured rigidly thereto Conveniently by bolts D,'which capplate is divided at its rear end into two parts C' C' or bifurcate extremity, each of which in cross-section is'of inverted-U shape, being thereby adapted to receive therein the extrcmities of the hounds B, which are secured permanently thereto by the bolts E preferably. A brace F, constructed integrally with the parts O' O', unites and strengthens them at their rear extremities. Laterally-projecting ribs G, integral with the side walls of the capplate C, are adapted to strengthen the plate and the tongue at the point of the junction of the hounds to the pole. A metal plate H, fitted to the under side of the pole'A and bifurcate at its rear extremity and' fitted in its bifurcate parts against the hounds B B, receives the bolts D and E therethrough and strengthens the construction of the tongue.

A metal brace I, secured at its extremities to the hounds B, is adapted to strengthen them. This brace I may be constructed of o gas-pipe or of other suitable material.

Suitable coupling-irons K are connected adjustably to and for m the extremities of the hounds B. These coupling-irons are each provided with a proper head adapting them to be connected bya bolt to the shaft-oouplings fixed on the front axle of a vehicle. These coupling-irons are screw-threaded, and are thereby adapted to be received and adj usted in a correspondng interior screw-thread L on the interior surfaces of the outer extremities of the hounds. -These screw-threads are reversed or made right and left handed, respectively, on the two coupling-irons and are so disposed with reference to the hounds that when the pole is couple'd to the vehicle the weight of the pole tends to turn the couplingirons into the screW-threadin the extremities of the-hounds. A collar M is fixed on the extremity of each arm of the hounds and is se-v So cured rigidly thereto Conveniently by shrinking it thereon. A sleeve-looking nut N turns on the screw-thrcad on the coupling-iron, and when the coupling-ron is properly adjusted in the hounds the nut is turned tightly against the collar M or the extremity of the hound, and the cou plin g-iron is thereby locked in position. The nut N is provided with a faced part O for applying a .Wrench thereto.

It will be understood that by reason of the construction hereinbefore described the weight of the tougue acts constantly to bind the nuts N more tightly against the collars M and thereby to secure the coupling-irons K firnly in position and to obviate the loosening of the irons in their seats.

As a means for connect-ing the brace I with the hounds B in a neat and substantial manner I have shown in Fig. l a sleeve P, fitted about one of the hounds B and connected intoo tcgrally with the collar at the extremity of the hounds (which in this instance I have' marked M') by a stem R. This sleeve P is located at the junetien of the brace I with the hound B and is held in position by being connected by the stem R integrally with the collar M'. The sleeve 1) is provided with a grooved projection or arn S, adapted to receive therein the extren'ity of the brace I, which is secured thereto by suitable screws or bolts. This forn of construction obviates the Weakening of the honnds by inserting a bolt, as T, thereth'oug'h for the pin-pose of securing the braoe to the hounds, as shown at the other extremity of the brace.

The hamner-strap U and bolt V are such as are in common use in the attachment of a doubletree to the tongue.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. As an improved article of nanufacture, a metal cap'plate for Connecting the rear end of a pole with its hounds, said plate being of an inverted-U shape in cross-section and bifurcated at its rear extremity, the arms ot said bifurcated extrenity being connected by a transverse integral brace and the sides of the cap strengt-hened by laterally-projecting* ribs, substantially as set foi-th.

2. In a Vehicle tongue, the combination of a pole, a cap-plate fitted to the top and sides of the single terminal part of the pole at its rear extremity, said cap plate being of an inverted-U shape in cross-section and having its rear extremity bifurcated, the arms ot said bifureated portion being connected by a transverse brace, hounds inserted in and secured rigidly to the furcate extremity ot the cap, and a plate fitted to the under side of the pole and biturcate at its rear extremity to fit against the honnds, snbstantially as set forth.

3. In a vehicle-tongue, the combination, with hounds formed of metal tubing, of coupling-irons turning by screw-thread in reverse direetions into the extrenities of the hounds, and lock-nuts turning on the coupling-irons against the extrenities of the hounds, the screw-threads being so arranged that' the Weight ot the tongne tends to tighten the lock-nuts on their seats, substantially as described.

4. In a vehicle-tongue, the combination, with hounds forned of metal tubing, ot a b'ace uniting and strengthening the two parts of the ho unds, and sleeves about the hounds and connected permanently thereto, which sleeves are provided With arms to which the brace is rigidly secured, substantially as deseribed.

In testinony whereofl affix my signatnre in presence of two wtnesses.

ELLIS M. VAN VALKENBURG.

Witnesses:

Gao. R. WEST, J r.

GERTENBACH. 

